A wide array of perspectives regarding smart buildings and grid modernization were on display at the Q2 SFAE Stakeholder Meeting on May 9, 2019. Stakeholders such as the City of San Francisco, the California Independent Systems Operator, private industry, and others held lively conversations to develop pathways to expanding the adoption of smart building technology in the city.

The debate was lively at the Q1 Advanced Energy Group breakfast in Chicago, IL on March 14th. It was no easy task defining the most pressing resiliency issue in Chicago related to microgrids and infrastructure challenges. Chicago, though perhaps not considered the most “at risk” city in terms of climate change, has its share of climate-related threats to human health and well-being.

On December 13, AEG convened its final Stakeholder Breakfast of 2018. This breakfast focused on Mobility & Transportation as they relate to DC’s clean energy goals. Speakers from Pepco, WMATA, the District Department of Transportation, and UPS gave presentations outlining their answer to the question, “What is the critical challenge I focus on regarding Mobility & Transportation related to Washington DC’s clean energy goals?”

The Chicago Advanced Energy Q4 discussion on Mobility and Transportation was fueled by optimism and innovation. Stakeholders discussed current technologies, incentives, and policies and left the breakfast with new contacts and a clear call to action.

Advanced Energy Group’s New York stakeholders convened on November 29 at the Duane Morris office near Times Square to discuss energy challenges related to Mobility and Transportation. HG opened the conversation by stating the goal of the session: work together as a group to prioritize energy challenges and solutions associated with greening New York’s transportation sector.

On November 7, 2018 over a hundred island energy leaders representing 27 countries and territories, 14 island utilities, 10 island governments and notable organizations such as Clinton Climate Initiative, the World Bank, and Rocky Mountain Institute convened for the first Caribbean Island Resiliency Action Challenge, co-hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank, to vote on the most critical resiliency problem facing island communities.

There sense of urgency surrounding Washington D.C’s AEG Q3 Stakeholder Breakfast provided a productive backdrop for the meeting. The room of experts covered the unique challenges facing the DC energy sector and the event culminated in the formation of a task force with the twin goals of collating all the relevant data necessary to create a platform and organizing an event to explore the solutions that can be developed with this data.

New York’s Q3 IoT Series was one of the most successful AEG Stakeholder Breakfasts event. With dynamic discussion leaders and a room full of important stakeholders, the discussion around the specific problems for technology development in New York City was exciting and fruitful.

Boston’s Q3 IoT Series has become one of AEG’s most successful events. With a full house at Holland & Knight, energy stakeholders discussed specific problems related to advancing IoT for the City of Boston. AEG founder H.G. was so pleased with the results, he shared a public thank you note for the attendees, highlighting what he appreciated most and what he hoped for moving forward.

Advanced Energy Group hosted the first ever post-breakfast lunch in Boston on June 14th for a specific stakeholder group and sector: Energy Strategies in Healthcare. This stakeholder lunch was facilitated by Navigant’s Ken Horne, Director for Smart Grid. Considering the trail-blazing nature of Boston’s healthcare facilities in regard to Smart Buildings, this lunch entailed fascinating presentations and conversations regarding the energy strategy and management of these critical facilities.

Boston’s Q2 series on Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization this past June brought together a diverse crowd of energized and engaged stakeholders to discuss the city’s future energy system. The series entailed a variety of events that provided attendees the opportunity to establish and reinforce relationships, to exchange diverse perspectives, and to take leadership roles within the local energy stakeholder community.

The Washington Advanced Energy (WAE) Q2 Stakeholder Breakfast started with a call to urgency, HG Chissell - Founder and CEO of AEG - emphasized the importance of finding grid modernization solutions that were meaningful, effective, and would truly address the challenges facing D.C.’s energy sector in the long run. The risk stakeholders face is providing a well-meaning solution that is ultimately an unhelpful, quick fix.

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. Once the room was at capacity and coffee was on the table, H.G. Chissell – CEO of Advanced Energy Group – kicked off the meeting. The group then heard five presentations from discussion leaders, who offered their takes on smart buildings and grid modernization:

NYAE hosted its Q2 event keeping with the theme of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization, on 24th of May 2018. The event brought together discussion leaders and participants to collectively take on the most pressing challenges faced by the urban energy ecosystem in New York, which includes modernizing the grid, retrofitting existing buildings, developing incentives and value propositions for building owners, and recent policy implications.

On March 1, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids. The packed room was sold out almost two weeks prior to the event thanks to the high calibre of discussion leaders that sparked a lot of anticipation.

Prior to the Boston Stakeholder Series, Massachusetts endured three Nor’easters within two weeks, resulting in a peak of 360,000+ customers without power. Infrastructure repairs were still in progress, and another storm was already brewing, making the days’ conversation very relevant.

On February 22, Advanced Energy Group held its first Stakeholder Breakfast of the year in Washington, DC. The topic this time: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids. After the significant damage wrought by last year’s hurricane season, the subjects were more relevant than ever. The event’s large attendance reflected the importance of the subject matter, as the room was filled to capacity.

With the recent nor’easter storm leaving over half a million people without power, the Q1 2018 Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure & Microgrids couldn’t be timelier.